Racecards
15:45 Cheltenham
Nicholson Holman Cup Handicap Chase (Class C) (Class C)
- 9 Runners
- Distance: 2m 110y
- Going: Good to Firm
- Form 1-65235
- Age 7
- Weight 12-0
- Trainer P Hobbs & J White
- Jockey R Johnson
held up, headway 6th, hard ridden and no extra from 3 out
- Form F-4F30U
- Age 9
- Weight 11-12
- Trainer N & W Twiston-Davies
- Jockey C Llewellyn
in rear, blundered badly 1st, driven and headway 10th, weakened approaching 3 out
Hisar (IRE)
14- Form 111154
- Age 9
- Weight 11-2
- Trainer P Ritchens
- Jockey A Thornton
blundered 2nd, weakened and lost place approaching 10th
Demasta (NZ)
271- Form 114/116
- Age 11
- Weight 10-11
- Trainer N J Henderson
- Jockey A P McCoy
made virtually all, clear from 3 out, eased final 100 yards, unchallenged
- Form 216F30
- Age 7
- Weight 10-7
- Trainer Mrs H Dalton
- Jockey N Williamson
chased winner 3 out, pecked 2 out, kept on, no chance with winner
Skram
14- Form 0F5120
- Age 9
- Weight 10-0
- Trainer R Dickin
- Jockey Mr D Crosse
led after 4th to next, ridden 9th, weakened after 3 out
Lord North (IRE)
124- Form P/4P-315
- Age 7
- Weight 10-0
- Trainer P R Webber
- Jockey M Foley
held up in touch, weakened and lost place 4 out, no chance when blundered 2 out
- Form 2432F0
- Age 10
- Weight 10-0
- Trainer John R Upson
- Jockey B Grattan
held up in touch, mistake 5th, kept on under pressure from 4 out, never dangerous
- Form 0/P-20PP
- Age 13
- Weight 10-0
behind, tailed off 10th, pulled up before 2 out
In depth
Verdict
A trappy handicap typical of this stage of the season, but an interesting contender is Nicky Henderson's Demasta. After winning a couple of fast ground handicaps early in the term Demasta proved a disappointment at Market Rasen when a well beaten favourite and has been rested for nine months. he goes very well fresh and could be the one to beat. Wave Rock has run well in defeat on a number of occasions this season but looks to have plenty of weight and Eskleybrook could find himself struggling over this minimum trip after being campaigned over longer of late. Lord North has been a disappointment this term but a lively outsider could be Reach The Clouds who goes particularly well around here.